Goodwill Opens New Adult Day Services Center

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Goodwill of South Central Ohio is opening a new adult day services center on Monday, March 1 to fulfill an immediate need for individuals with disabilities in Pickaway County.

In January, the county’s only open adult day services center, Person Centered Services (PCS), closed suddenly. As a result, Goodwill’s administrative team began putting together a plan to open an Activities and Training Center at 5075 S. Union St. in South Bloomfield, about 6 miles from the former PCS site.

“We already provide various services to individuals with disabilities in Pickaway County, so this was an easy decision to make,” said Goodwill CEO Marvin Jones. “Our center employs three former PCS employees including former director Stephanie Smith who is our center’s supervisor. We’re excited about the experience they will bring to the center. Their presence will also help make the transition smoother for the individuals who attended PCS and decide to attend our center.”

Goodwill closed its South Bloomfield store on Feb. 6 to transform the salesfloor into the day center and purchased buses and vans to provide transportation for individuals attending the center. The donation center in the back of the building remains in operation accepting donations at the south entrance between 10 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Monday-Saturday. All store employees remain employed and have transitioned to operate the donation center or work in our Circleville store.

This isn’t the first time Goodwill has responded to fill a need for services in Pickaway County. In January, its workforce development team began a paid work experience training program, Project Connect. The program provides participants an opportunity to gain marketable skills by working with a job coach in a Goodwill store for up to six months. Upon completion of the program, participants will then work with a Goodwill employment specialist to identify and secure community employment.

In March 2020, Goodwill also launched its C.A.R.E. program in Pickaway County which provides homemaker/personal care, Ohio Shared Living, and assistive technology services.

“COVID has negatively impacted service options in the area for individuals with disabilities. While we’ve felt some of those effects at Goodwill, we’ve worked collaboratively with our boards of developmental disabilities in the eight counties we serve to find solutions,” said Missions Coordinator Cana Horner. “We have actually expanded the services we offer during the past year, and that’s partly due to the tremendous community support we get from those who donate to and shop at our thrift stores.”

There will be an open house for the new center from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. March 1 by appointment only. Call Stephanie Smith at 740-248-9907 to schedule an appointment.